Jessica Sturm
Northern Illinois University pitcher Jessica Sturm was named Mid-American Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week,the league announced today.
Sturm improved to 4-2 on the season with a 2-1 mark in three games at the 2014 Citrus Classic. The junior from Wichita, Kan. also lowered her earned run average from 1.07 to 0.52 after posting a 0.00 ERA in 21 innings pitched.
This is the third MAC West Pitcher of the Week honor in Sturm’s career and the first of the season.
She scattered 17 hits and four base on balls and allowed four runs, all unearned. Her best performance of the weekend came in her first outing. Sturm pitched a complete game shutout, allowing six hits and a walk, while striking out two helping NIU to a 4-0 victory over IPFW. In the tournament finale, she allowed six hits and recorded a strike out as Sturm and NIU posted a 2-1 win over Delaware.
NIU returns to the diamond Mar. 1 when the Huskies travel to Evansville, Ind. to compete in the Evansville Invitational. NIU opens play against Northern Kentucky with first pitch set for 10:30 a.m., before facing host Evansville at 12:30 p.m. All times are Central.
For more information on NIU softball and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
